A U.S. judge has stopped the Trump administration from deporting or detaining Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist, for now. This decision gives Khalil and his legal team a big win after months of legal battle.
What Happened in Court?
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz said the government cannot deport or detain Khalil based only on a decision made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The judge’s order is a preliminary injunction, which means it’s temporary, but it stops any action until the court makes a final decision.
However, this ruling will not take effect until Friday, giving the U.S. government time to appeal the judge’s order.
Why Is Khalil Being Targeted?
Khalil is a former student of Columbia University who actively took part in protests against the war in Gaza last year. He was arrested in March and has been in custody since then. The Trump administration says he has ties to Hamas, a group the U.S. considers a terrorist organization.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio used an old law from 1952 to try to deport Khalil, saying he is a risk to national security. This law gives the Secretary of State the power to make personal decisions about whether someone should stay in the U.S.
Judge Says Government’s Reason Not Strong Enough
Judge Farbiarz didn’t agree with this approach. He said Khalil is suffering because of this action—his career is affected, and he’s not able to speak freely. The judge also noted that lawful permanent residents are almost never detained just because of mistakes in paperwork.
So, this shows that the real reason behind Khalil’s detention is Rubio’s personal decision, not any crime or legal issue.
Khalil’s Side Speaks Out
Khalil has not been charged with any crime. He called the government’s claims “grotesque and false.”
His wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, said this is the news they had been waiting for over three months. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which is helping with the case, called the court’s order a major victory.
His legal team, including the Center for Constitutional Rights, said they will keep fighting until Khalil is free and reunited with his wife and child in the U.S.
Trump’s Broader Crackdown on Campus Protests
Khalil is one of the first campus protesters to be directly targeted by the Trump administration. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and war broke out in Gaza, protests have taken place across U.S. campuses.
Trump has taken a hard stand against universities like Columbia and Harvard, saying they are not doing enough to protect Jewish students. Recently, his administration even threatened Columbia’s accreditation, claiming the school violated Jewish students’ rights.
This case is not just about Mahmoud Khalil. It highlights a larger battle between free speech, national security, and government power. The judge’s temporary block gives hope to Khalil and others like him.
But the fight isn’t over yet—the final decision is still to come. As the legal battle continues, many are watching closely to see what it means for student activism, freedom of speech, and immigration rights in America.
